title: Perceptions of pediatric asthma in African American underserved families using metaphorical analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose was to understand how African American children with asthma and their families living in underserved urban areas experience and perceive asthma.
  
  
  METHODS
  A narrative inquiry design with metaphorical analysis was used in this study with 20 African American children and their 10 families.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants metaphorically viewed the family system as a functioning healthcare facility. Children didn't find their asthma abnormal but did use asthma symptoms to their advantage. Caregivers were viewed as first-line medical responders but often made errors in delivering medical treatment. Lack of knowledge relating to appropriate asthma interventions led to insufficient asthma care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results provide evidence to improve patient-nurse interactions for this vulnerable patient group.
authors.affiliation: University of Detroit Mercy, College of Health Professions, Detroit, Michigan, USA.
authors.forename: Molly
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McClelland
authors.forename: Cathy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wenz
authors.forename: Kush
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sood
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yono
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology / Q000628:therapy*; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology; D017028:Caregivers; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice / Q000208:ethnology; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D054625:Healthcare Disparities / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D019365:Metaphor; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010465:Perception; D011203:Poverty; D018570:Risk Assessment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D014505:Urban Population
keywords: African American; asthma; family; metaphorical analysis; pediatrics; perception